I am almost done with a second flower table of bloodwood and reconstituted madagascar ebony. I wanted to do more flower parts inside this time, so I am paying with the Anthers and Stigma. I have them in foam right now, but picture the Anthers (flower’s pollen packets) in Ebony with maple tops.. and the stigma (the pollen receiver) of fiddle back maple.

My question.. too much? to horrible? can’t tell? It just does not seem to be jelling for me. Any ideas are welcome.Thanks~ eric

-- " 'Truth' is like a beautiful flower, unique to each plant and to the season it blossoms ... 'Fact' is the root and leaf, allowing the plant grow and bloom again."

Interesting and unique idea…..and since you (sort of)asked….I’m gonna tear it apart!! LOL!!

Just remember…my opinion only! But if it were mine…

1. I would have made the ‘Stem’ section a bit smaller in diameter…and possibly closed it in all together.2. I would have made the ‘Petals’ more round, both sides and front…3. The ‘Anthers’...probably similar shape. But, I would reverse what you suggested. Maple, (maybe Fiddle Back) for the main section, Ebony for the tops.4. The Stigma….I would some how, some way, change the shape drastically. The shape you have…for some reason reminds me of a…....well, I’m not going to say it. LOL! I also wouldn’t make it out of maple. It needs a bit of color inside. Possibly Purple Heart?

Remember…JMO. I think your definitely on the right track, and damn near there….just some subtle changes ‘I’ would make. Cool Idea though.

-- It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. Aristotle

Thanks Tony.. i never mind having my stuff torn apart.. :) ... great ideas for this and my next table. I think your right, I need to change the curve of the anthers to other way and make the stigma less phallic like .. LOL.Thanks everyone for feedback. I have been stewing on this for a week now. Once this is done I am off to a new flower design. I repeated this design ONLY because I seem to never repeat a project.

-- " 'Truth' is like a beautiful flower, unique to each plant and to the season it blossoms ... 'Fact' is the root and leaf, allowing the plant grow and bloom again."

If you are really going for a flower-like look, I think the “petals” are too square and need to be separated from the “stem”. Very interesting idea… otherwise it looks like some 60s diner furniture gone bad.

Hi,Really interesting work.I would stay in one style. So when you clean up the flower leafs, you should also clean up the pollen things. So I would make the pollen part more simple, and then make it in some wonderful wood so the wood would match the wood.Best thoughts,Mads

LOL awesome Steven… after art school, I realized people are most often too nice to give a bold reflection. “60’s furniture gone bad” a serious critique. Granted the glass top is not on it, and this time there are no prefab chairs to match, which is why the fronts are squared off rather than round, but does make me pause and debate the pragmatism of repeating a design. I HATE 60s vernacular design.. hmmm… it was a good comment! Makes me a little more lost than before though and I did put it out there. LOL

Recently my studio mate showed me a drawing for a electric rotating sculpture .. he was so proud of the design, but all I saw was R2D2… I told him so.. we talked about it a bit and I left, but just as I closed his door I saw him rip the drawing and say fuck it! Art is wonderful, but it takes a strong soul. So thanks everyone.

-- " 'Truth' is like a beautiful flower, unique to each plant and to the season it blossoms ... 'Fact' is the root and leaf, allowing the plant grow and bloom again."

Sometimes less is more and as a piece of art maybe it is enough to suggest a flower as you already have and leave the detail to the imagination of the viewer. I don’t know if the added anthers and stigma are adding to the art. If it were me, I think that I would leave it alone, a little understated. Just my thoughts.